This proposed investigation addresses the need for versatile reliable and efficient crop production systems for long duration human space exploration

NASA s technology roadmap notes that self-sufficiency of life support systems is crucial long-duration exploration missions. Regenerative life support will undoubtedly require food production to recover nutrients and close the carbon loop in a spacecraft human habitat. Hydrophytes (or aquatic plants) have enormous potential for edible biomass production but have been little studied as potential food crops for space applications. The phase i NASA small business technology transfer (sttr) project g-lilypond: floating plant pond for microgravity investigated the benefits of the hydrophyte duckweed (A.K.A. Water lentils) as a supplemental space food crop. During this phase i investigation water lentils were found to be 100 % edible (with no inedible biomass) nutritious and exceptionally fast growing. For this reason water lentils are gaining recognition as a promising new food ingredient for the rapidly growing plant protein market in the united states. They are nutritionally dense providing antioxidants high omega-3 fatty acids (n-6 : n-3